We prefer to give you privacy and management will only interact as needed, based on your request
or if there is some sort of issue that requires attention.

MISS MARIE :
is the Journalist and Writer whose home you will be sharing, along with her young cat...

The Neighborhood

SAYAN, UBUD:
one of the most privileged areas of Bali.
community stairs leading to Ayung River,
a protected "GREEN BELT" that acts as a natural lung:
no cars, no bikes, no fumes, no cocks, no barking dogs, no burning garbage.

AYUNG RIVER
comes all the way down from the volcano
TREKKING lanes adjacent to the riverbank.
Hindu shrine,
Holly spring (blessed by the local priest),
huge banyan trees,
mysterious vines growing strange fruit,
small pavilions:
great for reading, relaxing, painting, yoga...
hot spot for white water rafting
Bathing area

FOODIES:
NEARBY, you’ll find Gaya Gallery & CIBO Restaurant, with contemporary art, fusion-style food, and an Italian GELATO (ice-cream parlor ) with tropical fruit sherbets to die (or live) for!
There is a food court at BALI WOOD, trendy places where to meet peers and have delicious food, like Vespa Cafe, Kopi Desa, Alchemy, Bayu's Kitchen in Penestanan village, and many local warungs for Indonesian dishes.
You’ll find local shops, fruit and vegetable markets all along the main road.
Food delivery is available from a wide variety of places (see our folder in unit).
There are large supermarkets (Bintang, Coco and Delta) that provide all you need in terms of food, clothing, toiletry etc.
Nevertheless, we encourage you to support small local businesses as much as possible.

UBUD is a MOOD, as the artistic and spiritual center of this Island of the Gods, with its traditional SPIRITUAL HEALERS & SHAMANS, painters, sculptors, musicians and dancers, kite makers, mask carvers, furniture, jewelry and fashion designers.
some business people have their production done here.
Lots of beautiful MUSEUMS to visit (ARMA, Neka, Lukisan, Antonio Blanco, Jewelry Rudana, Mask & Puppets, etc).
The area is popular with YOGIS from all over the world who come here to improve their practice or complete a teacher training.
UBUD has become a world-famous hub since Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “EAT, PRAY, LOVE" was published, and even more so after the movie featuring Julia Roberts was made.

UBUD has been named “BEST DESTINATION IN ASIA” by Conde Nast Traveler Readers and the President of the World Peace Committee gave Bali the “ISLAND OF PEACE" prize.

The GREEN SCHOOL is now a world reference in terms of their BAMBOO building technique, sustainable standards, and education system. Just 6-8km away lies their campus built on hectares of beautiful land, using a most inventive architecture of bamboo, with a large sustainable organic vegetable garden, a solar power system and much more—this is a MUST SEE!
You should find their website online for a virtual tour, as well as registering for a real tour once you’re in town.

Getting around

GETTING AROUND THE LOCAL AREA
SAYAN is just 3-4km AWAY FROM UBUD - While it’s great to have a good walk around town, having your own transportation is essential to get the most out of your visit.
The preferred method is an automatic SCOOTER.
Otherwise, you could hire an "OJEK" (Moto taxi) to transport you inexpensively.
Some athletic visitors opt for a bicycle (though be advised that it is hot, humid, and hilly). Another option is or a rented car (with/without driver).

SCOOTER RENTAL INFORMATION
We recommend Mr NYOMAN for scooter rental. He has fair rates, with discounts offered for weekly and monthly periods;
a signed rental document with your personal information is compulsory.
This is standard procedure, so please comply happily with these requests.
Mr NYOMAN will deliver your scooter at yr door along with helmet and rain coat.
Please expect to pay approximately $5USD/day - $50/ mnth for a scooter -
If possible, bring an International driving licence made at your home town.
Note that Your Health insurance references are Important.

GETTING HERE FROM/TO THE AIRPORT
It is advisable to hire OUR DRIVER if you are arriving from the airport,
so that someone will be there waiting for you, allowing for a smooth arrival, avoiding a waste of time and energy. OUR DRIVER has a comfortable car with air-con and charges 350,000 IDR (approximately $29 USD, as of Jan. 2015) for pickup or drop-off at the airport.
He has been transporting our guests for years, speaks great English, communicates well via mobile phone/WhatsApp, safe, reliable, knowledgeable, considerate, he will help you carry your luggage, provide you with the keys, show where the lights are...
He will stand at the MAIN EXIT at AIRPORT with a large sign showing a BIRD AND A HEART (our logo) or your own name, that will be very visible.
He is also available for other tours (around the island, to the volcano, temples, hot springs, beach, etc).
Kindly please let us know in advance if you like your AIRPORT PICKUP/DROP OFF with him.
Please email your Flight details ASAP for a better organisation. Thank you!

Other Things to Note

INSECTS AND OTHER BEASTS are part of life in a tropical island like Bali.
Vegetation here is rich, lush, growing fast and with it a whole array of living creatures. Some are quite cute and others are less pleasant. Remember that a ugly hairy caterpillar, given time, will become a shimmering butterfly as large as your hand.
This is not a jungle "ala Disney", so you should be both careful and respectful.
Remember also that most will flee rather than confront you...

MOSQUITOS: while there is no malaria here, dengue fever is a slight possibility—though statistically, it mostly affects people who have been living here for at least three years.
We provide natural essential oils as mosquito repellent. You should protect yourself with round-the-clock essential oils.

TRAVEL LIGHT ( clothes are cheap here), and remember to bring your own flashlight or headlamp.

BE RESPECTFUL OF BALINESE CULTURE and be sure to take your shoes off when entering a Balinese home.
Do not point at people or things with your finger, and do not touch people or things with your foot as well as not showing the sole of your feet to people (these things are considered very rude).
You should give and receive things only with your RIGHT HAND, whenever possible, and always smile...
People here will smile a lot and rarely say “NO.”

BE RESPECTFUL OF TEMPLE AND CEREMONY RULES...
whenever attending a ceremony, be sure that you have NO bare shoulders/chest, no short pants or Bermudas.
Men should wear a sarong and a SAPUT (smaller sarong) on top, with its strings tied at the waist meant to separate the pure from the impure as is the tradition here.
Women should wear a sarong with a sash (scarf) at the waist for the same reasons. As a top, women should wear a KEBAYA (lacy balinese style blouse), or a plain long-sleeved shirt, and hair should be knotted into a bun. Bringing an offering (tjanang) with you is always welcome; you can get them from a local warung .
Observe the Balinese people and do the same as they do.
Women usually sit with women and men sit with men, please do so unless you are with a Balinese friend of the opposite sex, it’s ok then to sit together.
Never stand higher than a priest, and do not stand on a platform where everyone is sitting. Do not use flash lights when photographing a priest, always ask permission to make photo (a simple gesture is enough).
Menstruating women are not allowed on temple grounds.

DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR LONG TERM RENTAL (over one mnth), please contact us with your request.

GETTING HERE: FROM & TO THE AIRPORT (OR from-to ANY PLACE IN BALI…)
Our DRIVER:
allows you a smooth arrival; he HAS THE KEYS! — He has our PRIVATE NR — he knows all the short cuts -
We ADVISE to book with him, whether you arrive in the DAY TIME or SPECIALLY if you ARRIVE LATER than 4PM (our Staff is then OFF) —
— IMPORTANT:
— AirBNB Hosting does NOT offer services like a regular Hotel: NO RECEPTION OPEN 24/7! -- Our EMPLOYEES have a Schedule and days OFF to be respected and honoured! -- BE SPECIALLY AWARE of this IF you are ARRIVING AFTER 4PM -- OR -- ON A Week-End —
— PLEASE NOTE:
1/ BALI does NOT have STREET NAMES at every junction! —
2/ HOUSES SELDOM HAVE CLEAR & VISIBLE NUMBERS! —
3/ EVEN & ODD NUMBERS (LIKE IN WESTERN COUNTRIES) ARE NOT A CONCERN HERE! SOME STREETS SHOW TWICE THE SAME NUMBER! OR Nr 24 will be followed by Nr 103 ! —
4/ LATE ARRIVALS MIGHT FIND NO STREET LAMPS WORKING PROPERLY & A DESERTED AREA WITH NO-ONE TO HELP -- OR PEOPLE WHO NEVER HEARD ABOUT THE PLACE! —
5/ CELL PHONE SIGNAL AND INTERNET CAN BE 'PATCHY' AND UNRELIABLE (this is Bali!) - WE APOLOGISE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO GUARANTY AN ANSWER TO SMS, CALLS OR EMAILS PAST 8PM —
6/ A DRIVER found in Denpasar, Kuta or Seminyak - MIGHT BE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PLACE, TAKING YOU UP AND DOWN THE ROAD IN VAIN (experienced by one Guest who said: “Cheap deal with a Driver found in Kuta turned out to be a "cheat deal” ! It was well past 11Pm and he proved to be unable to locate the house and drop us safely!"
-- 7/ OWNER & Employees DO NOT LIVE ON-SITE — therefore, for OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS, WILL NOT give to an unknown driver INFORMATIONS ABOUT THE KEYS..
—) FOR ALL THESE REASONS WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND OUR DEAR GUESTS to rather travel with OUR OWN DRIVER. A SAFE, RELIABLE & SMOOTH WAY TO ARRIVE. HE KNOWS THE ADDRESS! HE HAS THE KEYS! HE HAS OUR PRIVATE NUMBER. HIS FEE is THE SAME as ANY OTHER DRIVER (29USD = 350,000RP from Airport to Ubud, paid directly to him). -- PLEASE contact us AHEAD OF TIME to ARRANGE YOUR TRANSFER --
—) OUR ADDRESS (also in HOUSE MANUAL)
"MAYA": 24 Jalan Raya SAYAN, U B U D

=&gt; contact (phone number hidden)

=&gt; our lane is marked by a LARGE number 24, very visible, and OUR LOGO in B&W: a BIRD AND A HEART.

Please park neatly in the first Garage, right side of the lane. "MAYA" is at the very end of the lane, its name marked in stone letters on the wall; Bell...

=&gt; DIRECTIONS, Landmarks, distances: N/W of Ubud, 3-4Km away from Ubud Royal Palace, on MAIN STREET SAYAN (West side, along River AYUNG) = PAST PENESTANAN VILLAGE, 500m north of "FOUR SEASONS" 5-Star Resort / 300m north of "SAYAN TERRACE" (same side of street) - 50m North of "GAYA GELATO" & “CIBO" Restaurant / 150m South of "SAYAN AYU" (opposite side of Str) - 800M South of "AMANDARI" 5-Star Resort (Same side)
- ENTER the lane and walk till the very end: the name 'MAYA" IS ON THE WALL, IN LARGE STONE LETTERS.
- KEYS: Make sure to contact us ahead of time so we can arrange the KEYS for the Main Gate for you!

-- IF you have any problems while in transit to the destination, delayed plane, etc,
—) CONTACT ASAP :
1/ YOUR DRIVER (his data has been sent to you after your booking of our Driver; we have two different drivers) --
(phone number hidden) (Cell + WhatsApp) --
(phone number hidden) (OFFICE 9AM - 6PM) --
4/ EMAIL: (email hidden) --

Our main and only rule is...... "MINDFULNESS IS HAPPINESS"......
Yet, experience being a teacher … we have to set up a few points here, PLEASE READ carefully and PRINT or SAVE….:
— COMPULSORY UPON ARRIVAL: Police declaration for ALL foreigners requires a HARD COPY of your passport (OR hand written data) + 25.000RP, that is 2USD/person staying in the listing (including children) --
- SPRING MINERAL WATER, 20L JUG: 25.000RP (2USD) — or bring your own Bottle (yet, more plastic to dispose of, and 1Liter costs about 3.000Rp in any shop!) —
— LOST KEYS are charged 20USD, taken from your BOND.
MINDFULNESS - is about RESPECT and CONSIDERATION of OTHERS and of the ENVIRONMENT --
Please share our ECO-FRIENDLY approach:
— Switch OFF LIGHTS AND FANS before going out !
— Be conservative with your use of WATER, a very precious resource here. --
— SMOKING allowed OUTSIDE only. Please dispose your cigarettes in an ashtray, thank you--
— LOCK YOUR ROOM DOOR, LOCK THE MAIN GATE whenever going out -- KEEP YOUR VALUABLES inside the CABINET, rather than in plain sight - (we feel this goes without saying, but would like to mention it anyway).
— Bring a FLASH LIGHT with you if you will be coming or going after dark. --
— OUR BEDDINGS are in very good state. STAINED Mattress, Pillows or cushions will be charged accordingly and taken from the Bond.
— "MINI BAR” : SNACKS and DRINKS (provided in your Room) to be settled in Cash RP, following marked prices. Your payment left in the Kitchen (for our House Keeper) Thank you.
— BREAKFAST: Provided by us consists of : Two varieties of TEAS, Bali grown Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, Cereal Mix portions, “Welcome Fruit Basket” - For any other EXTRA FOOD (Bread, butter, eggs, milk, ham, yogurt, etc) Kindly please ASK US before arrival date. Our House Keeper will do the shopping, charged at local price.

— PETS: We LOVE them. Yet We reserve the right to ALLOW them on the property. TALK to us first, TKS --
— SAFETY: OPEN FLAMES (candles, incense, oil burners..) : make sure to put them on a metal/glass plate. NEVER leave them unattended for obvious safety reasons, for yourself as well as others - THIS IS ALSO valid FOR THE GAS COOKER.
- ELECTRICITY, Water, and Internet service: while these are all currently active in the listing, from time to time there can be a lapse in their accessibility due to the more primitive infrastructure of services on the island (remember, this is Bali!); there is nothing that can be done about a lapse in service and does NOT constitute a valid reason for cancelling with the expectation of a refund. We appreciate your understanding regarding this.
— SCOOTER RENTAL --
We recommend MR NYOMAN, a reputable company. Consider $5USD/day - UPON REQUEST, ahead of time, please, it will be delivered upon arrival, with Helmet and raincoat; payment and contract settled directly with Mr Nyoman upon delivery (NOT with us, this is a “complimentary service” offered by us to our Guests).
- BRINGING with you ALL DATA RE your HEALTH INSURANCE is obviously IMPORTANT.
— FOR ANY TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS please let us know AHEAD OF TIME, we can help you get organised with our safe reliable local drivers (Car or “Ojek” Taxi Moto).
— Please be considerate and avoid "last Minute'' requests, Bali is on a SLOW pace, and not up to Western criteria!
— We appreciate your READING, UNDERSTANDING (and PRINTING / or SAVING) of the present HOUSE RULES.
— Thank you very much for caring ! -

12 Reviews

Not so pleasant experiences with the host (the writer owner). The lady did not try to make me feel welcome or anything, she made me feel as if I was one of her staff members.

I did not like the room due to the cats that obviously were allowed inside. I love cats but upon my arrival I developed a very bad allergic reaction, so I practically moved out from the accommodation after 1 night, despite the fact that I had paid for 2 weeks. There was a compensation offered (upgraded villa for the following week), but I thought best to stay in the centre of Ubud where I found a much better place where I was treated warmheartedly.

It was a terrible experience!! The host is not nice at all I couldn't relax at all I have to share the bathroom with her and she asked me to take of so many details, she has also 2 baby cats they are so enjoying they didn't let me eat or even go to the kitchen cause they were begging for food all the time, they will jump on the table and kitchen counter. The woman likes to control everything, it was just not good energy at all, also her profile says the room is big enough to do yoga and it wasn't true, there was so many Mosquitos and insects that didn't let me sleep and I found out you can find many better places in the center of Ubud and that's what I did cause I didn't like this place at all even if I lost my money

For any prospective guests who are reading this, I would like to first note that she opted to stay in the guest room in the writer's home at "Maya" (our only shared listing), and will provide some comments in response to her review: 1) "It was a terrible experience!!" RE: Patricia is such a nice girl, I'm very sorry that she feels she had a "terrible experience" during her stay in my guest room. 2) "...asked me to take of so many details" RE: The "many details" that were asked of Patricia with were items of common courtesy when sharing a space with someone (as is stated in the listing description) and a general eco-friendly attitude (ex: turning off lights, wiping the wash basin after use, disposing of food from the shared refrigerator before it begins to decay), which she did not happily comply with, if at all. 3) "she has also 2 baby cats…" RE: The listing states in "The Space" that there is "Young cat with us here…" and in "House Rules" that "CAT LOVERS and GARDEN LOVERS pref." The baby cats Patricia is referring to are 2-3 month old kittens (2) who were being fed every few hours throughout the day. In addition to the information provided on Airbnb, I also corresponded with her directly via email in advance of her stay reaffirming the presence of the kittens, and making sure that it wouldn't be an issue at all, to ensure that everyone in the home has enjoyable time. 4) "…it was just not good energy at all…" RE: Given that "good energy" is a bit of a vague concept and matter of opinion, it is difficult for me to comment on this. All I know is that so many people have been perfectly happy here, which we hope is the case for everyone who chooses to stay with us, but from time to time there might be someone who is simply not a good fit. 5) "…big enough to do yoga…" RE: We had a yoga teacher stay with us for three months, practicing every day, twice a day, for two hours. It was based on this knowledge that information about this was included in the listing details "...so many Mosquitos and insects…" RE: Mosquitos and insects are a known reality in a tropical climate such as Bali. That said, there is a mosquito net enclosing the bed in the guest room as well as an additional net that was installed on the window of the room prior to Patricia's arrival. 6) "…I found out you can find many…" RE: Whether a place is better or not is a matter of opinion. We look to provide a unique space and experience inside of a writer's home and describe it as clearly as possible in the listing to ensure that we have guests who are a good fit here.

I had a wonderful, relaxing and inspiring time. For anyone looking for a peaceful hideaway in Ubud, this is THE place to go. You will meet wonderful people who will make you feel like at home from the start and help you with anything you need. I will definitely be back!

I had wonderful stay at Rumah Maya. The room is very clean and beautifully decorated with a serene view onto a lush garden. The house is a bout three miles outside of ubud, which I found to be enjoyable. I loved my morning motorbike ride into town, passing through delightful small villages. There is a beautiful river walk just five minutes away. The staff at the house is very kind and attentive and Marie is a generous, gracious host and friend. She was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, introducing me to many activities in Ubud. I will always remember my stay there with much fondness. Also, she arranged for bike rental.

Thanks to Marie! She made my stay nice and exciting, she has some really good advices off the tourist track. The room was comfortable and very clean. It feels like a safe place. The garden in front of the room is just beautiful and calming. Thanks again and all the best!

About the Host, Tini

I am a Balinese woman married with two young sons; I supervise our Staff, also work as a Cook &House Keeper, and i am a Masseuse - so that keeps me busy...
NYOMAN, my husband used to work on cruise boats, his English is quite good and he takes care of the on-going maintenance. We are a great Team!
We have a friend, she helps us w/organisation & on computer.
We like to make our guests happy, making sure the house is clean and comfortable, the garden trimmed, transport organized safely.
Whenever Guests ask us to bring papayas or fresh coconuts, we prepare them on site for perfect freshness.
We provide extra services: interesting things to do in Ubud, ceremonies, On-Site Massage/reflexology, healing by local Shaman/Spiritual healer, Scooter Rental, Airport Pick-up, downhill cycling tour, Yoga & art classes, trekking along the river, Museums, food specialities....
Just tell us your needs: we are more than happy to be of service